More women have been appointed to the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore's (Muis) Board of Appeal, which hears appeals against the decisions of the Syariah Court and the Registry of Muslim Marriages.

The number of women members has now increased to five, up from four in the previous term.

The 23-member panel - which is made up of district judges, lawyers, legal and religious scholars - was officially appointed at a ceremony held at the Singapore Islamic Hub in Braddell Road yesterday.

Members will serve a two-year term until Dec 31 next year.

In 2008, three women were appointed to the Board of Appeal for the first time in the board's history. Until then, it was made up entirely of men.

Muis, in a statement yesterday, said: "This is a reflection of the Singapore Muslim community's appreciation and value placed on the positive contributions of women in leadership roles in the community.

"Their appointment also ensures that the Appeal Board has the expertise needed from a female perspective, apart from their contributions in their own fields."

Board members are appointed by President Tony Tan Keng Yam, on Muis' advice.

They will deal with issues such as the custody of minors, and the disposition or division of matrimonial property after a divorce.

From time to time, three people will be chosen from the panel by the Muis president to sit on an ad-hoc board to handle appeals.

Calvin Yang